The implementation and role of geotechnical data in BIM process

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is becoming increasingly important tool in civil engineering both in the infrastructure design and construction process. BIM uses an intelligent model that provides a faster, more economical and less environmental impact for building and managing construction and infrastructure projects. Intelligent information model enable rich visualization, simulation and collaboration, which together allow better decision making throughout the project team. Major infrastructure projects that have a significant geotechnical and structural aspects may implement BIM tools and processes but often seem to neglect the geotechnical aspect of the model. This omission can lead to costly mistakes especially when the project is infrastructure-based. This paper reviews the current BIM implementations on major infrastructure projects and overseas and reviews how the inclusion of the geotechnical data in the BIM model can improve the models usefulness and the decision making process. The paper also investigates the reasons why the geotechnical data is not included and how these barriers can be removed so that the geotechnical and structural teams a fully integrated. The paper ends with a set of recommendations that, if adopted, could allow the engineering design team to produce innovative geotechnical systems and improve the cost effectiveness of construction.